Wayne Arthur Irons passed away peacefully on June 28, 2011, at Kootenai Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born Dec. 6, 1926, in Mason City, Iowa, to Earnest and Mary Irons and was the youngest of six children.

He moved to Coeur d'Alene when he was 6 and graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1944. After returning home from service overseas, he met Ivy Mae Prosser at the "little round table," and dated for two years until they were married on July 15, 1949. They continued to live in Coeur d'Alene, where they raised five children.

Wayne was a Corporal in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947, where he was a rifleman and squad leader. After an honorable discharge, he worked for many years building dams all around the northwest.

He then worked in various lumber mills until he was in a debilitating snowmobile accident in February 1979. He was well cared for at his private residence by his loving wife, Ivy, and son Scott for the past 32 years.

Wayne enjoyed fishing, hunting, tennis, camping and many other outdoor activities that North Idaho had to offer.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Mary Irons; brothers Eldon Irons and Bill Irons; and sisters Tiny Labor, Dorothy Pegg and Evelyn Straight.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ivy, and his children, Dixie (Pooley), Don Irons, Wendy (Ellison), Sally (Rikard) and Scott Irons. He also had eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Private memorial services will be held for family and friends at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 2, 2011, at 3575 Shadow Court, Coeur d'Alene. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, is in charge of the arrangements.

His memory will live on through his family and friends.